What is the decay process of americium-241?

The first decay product of americium-241 is neptunium-237, which also decays and forms other daughter elements. The decay process continues until stable bismuth is formed. The radiation from the decay of americium-241 and its daughters is in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

Does americium-241 undergo alpha decay?

Americium-241 Decay This substance undergoes Alpha decay, meaning it emits Alpha (α) Particles in its process of decay. In addition, it radiates small amounts of Gamma (γ) Ray as a by-product.

What type of radiation does americium-241 emit?

gamma rays
Americium and Health Am-241 is primarily an alpha emitter, but also emits some gamma rays. It poses a more significant risk if ingested (swallowed) or inhaled.

What is the activity of americium-241?

Americium-241 has a specific activity of 3.43 Ci/g (curies per gram or 126.8 gigabecquerels (GBq) per gram). It is commonly found in the form of americium-241 dioxide (241AmO2). This isotope also has one meta state, 241mAm, with an excitation energy of 2.2 MeV and a half-life of 1.23 μs.

How does americium-241 work in smoke detectors?

Ionization chamber smoke detectors contain a small amount of americium-241, a radioactive material. Smoke particles disrupt the low, steady electrical current produced by radioactive particles and trigger the detector’s alarm. They react quickly to fires that give off little smoke.

What is the atomic equation for the alpha decay of americium-241?

24195Am→42He+23793Np.

Is Am 241 a transuranic?

Airborne releases and effluents to the hydrosphere from nuclear power plants also contain very small activities of transuranic elements, including americium-241, but even very sensitive detection methods can detect it directly in releases only (at tenths of kBq to a few kBq per year), not in the environment.

What is americium-241 used for in industry?

Americium-241 is used as a neutron source in non-destructive testing of machinery and equipment, and as a thickness gauge in the glass industry. However, its most common application is as an ionization source in smoke detectors, and most of the several kilograms of americium made each year are used in this way.

Do smoke detectors have americium-241?

Smoke detectors are common household items that keep you and your family safe by alerting you to smoke in your home. Ionization smoke detectors use a small amount of radioactive material, americium-241, to detect smoke.

What is the alpha decay of americium?

Americium-243 It decays by either emitting an alpha particle (with a decay energy of 5.27 MeV) to become 239Np, which then quickly decays to 239Pu, or infrequently, by spontaneous fission.